Highest-Paid Football Managers in the World 2026

Managing a football team is a tough job. Pressure mounts quickly, and unless results are good, managers often lose their positions. Still, the best coaches earn impressive salaries, especially at the highest levels of the sport. Money flows abundantly in football today, with elite players and coaches commanding huge paychecks. The rise of the Saudi Pro League, which offers massive contracts to lure top talent, has further boosted these figures.

Here’s a detailed rundown of the 30 highest-paid football managers globally, covering international teams and leading club sides competing in major leagues and tournaments.

Managers Ranked 30th to 11th by Annual Salary

Some notable names just outside the top 10 include England’s Thomas Tuchel, earning £5 million yearly, equal to Michael Carrick at Manchester United, David Moyes at Everton, and Frank Lampard at Coventry City. Newcastle’s Matthias Jaissle and Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany both make £6 million annually. Tottenham's Roberto De Zerbi and Aston Villa's Unai Emery each draw £8 million, while Brazil’s national team coach Carlo Ancelotti earns slightly more at £8.1 million.

30. Okan Buruk, Galatasaray - £4.2m
29. Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham - £4.5m
28. Frank Lampard, Coventry City - £5m
27. Michael Carrick, Manchester United - £5m
26. David Moyes, Everton - £5m
25. Thomas Tuchel, England - £5m
24. Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis - £5.1m
23. Mauricio Pochettino, USA - £5.1m
22. Maurizio Sarri, Atalanta - £5.3m
21. Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United - £6m
20. Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich - £6m
19. Cristian Chivu, Inter Milan - £6.3m
18. Ruben Amorim, AC Milan - £6.3m
17. Hansi Flick, Barcelona - £6.4m
16. Massimiliano Allegri, Napoli - £7.1m
15. Gian Piero Gasperini, AS Roma - £7.9m
14. Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham - £8m
13. Unai Emery, Aston Villa - £8m
12. Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil - £8.1m
11. Luciano Spalletti, Juventus - £9.5m

Top 10 Highest-Paid Managers

Stepping into Pep Guardiola's shoes, Enzo Maresca takes on a daunting role at Manchester City. His £10 million contract signals high expectations as he manages a squad packed with world-class talent. Delivering trophies quickly will be essential.

Though money wasn’t his main motive, Andoni Iraola secured a £10 million annual deal at Liverpool. This figure exceeds what former boss Arne Slot earned, despite Slot winning Liverpool’s 20th Premier League title. Iraola faces significant pressure managing one of football’s giants without prior experience at this level.

After a rough patch at Nottingham Forest, Ange Postecoglou landed a lucrative £10 million-a-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. He now oversees stars like Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who might be playing his final professional season.

With over a decade at football’s summit, Luis Enrique commands £10.2 million annually at PSG. After winning Ligue 1 and leading the club to a historic treble, he is expected to continue delivering success, possibly earning an even bigger contract soon.

The "Special One" returned to Real Madrid with a £10.2 million salary after Benfica received £13 million compensation. Mourinho’s previous stint included a La Liga title with a record 100 points. Fans and management expect big achievements once again.

Chelsea’s American owners have invested heavily, including signing Xabi Alonso to a £11.5 million yearly deal, making him the Premier League's highest-paid manager. Alonso’s past conflicts raise questions, but his success with Bayer Leverkusen suggests potential rewards.

Oliver Glasner earned FA Cup and Europa Conference League wins with Crystal Palace before moving to Nottingham Forest. The club hopes his £13 million salary can steer them clear of relegation troubles after recent struggles.

Mikel Arteta ranks third globally with a £15 million annual wage following a new contract in 2024. His work at Arsenal includes clearing out underperformers and restoring the club to Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.

Once the highest-paid manager worldwide, Diego Simeone now earns £20.1 million. He led Atletico to multiple La Liga titles and two Champions League finals. Despite some recent setbacks, his loyal players and fans supported a contract extension with a reduced salary.

Simone Inzaghi tops the list with a staggering £22.2 million yearly salary at Saudi side Al-Hilal. After revitalizing Inter Milan with domestic cups and Serie A glory, Inzaghi switched to Saudi Arabia, securing the highest pay among all football managers.

Data reflects figures as of August 29, 2026, mostly sourced from Salary Leaks.